A new console hardware launch needs to have a mixture of games. As most systems launch with only a handful of exclusive titles and a smattering of multi-platform games and ports from third parties, there needs to be a mixture of genres to appeal to every gamer looking to pick one up on day one. A first person shooter is a must, as is a third person adventure type game, a racer and perhaps a fighting game. Although ten years ago every system launched with a cutesy platformer however, that is one genre which has suffered lately, and one which Sony hopes to rectify with the PS4.

In an unusual move, the first game shown off at the reveal of the PlayStation 4 wasn’t the amazing Killzone: Shadow Fall, or the very grown-up and impressive DriveClub, but instead a Pixar-like platform title called Knack. And although this title probably didn’t shoot to the top of many peoples’ most wanted lists, it does appear to be an innovative title which bears further investigation, particularly as it is made by gaming legend Mark Cerny.

The titular hero of Knack is a little robot who appears to be constructed mainly from flower pots, who has the ability to learn new ‘knacks’ as the game progresses and incorporates ice, metal and other substances into his body. Elements of the game which were shown off included epic showdowns between baddies and the inflated body of Knack. Mark Cerny has described the gameplay as being a mixture of Crash Bandicoot, Katamari Damacy and God of War, which sounds frankly amazing.

While it was a surprise that Sony chose to highlight Knack above other more immediately impressive games, the system will need new IP’s as well as established franchises. Not to mention the fact that the PlayStation brand has a great tradition of platformers from Jak and Daxter and Crash Bandicoot through to Ratchet and Clank. We could soon be adding Knack to that list, so here’s hoping it is a launch game.